Much has been made about Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon in recent days.
Indeed, the Newcastle winger is part of England’s squad at Euro 2024 but did not get on the pitch as the Three Lions beat Serbia in their opening game on Sunday.
Clearly, there’s little shame in that.
While Gordon enjoyed a brilliant season at club level, he’s still new to the international scene and has some big players to go up against for a starting berth.
The most obvious direct competitor is Phil Foden. Few can doubt the Manchester City star’s quality and he’s been the man Gareth Southgate trusts off the left wing.
Still, with Foden proving ineffective during the game, Gordon has been called for.
Jamie Carragher expressed his surprise that the 23-year-old was not even brought off the bench, while Gary Lineker suggested Gordon was an obvious choice to replace Foden.
However, former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has a different view.
Alan Pardew names the player who’d do a “better job” for England than Anthony Gordon
Asked whether or not Gordon should start Thursday’s second group game against Denmark on talkSPORT, Pardew actually suggested Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze would be a better option.
“I don’t know if Gordon’s the one. Eze might do a better job coming off that side and working that channel, for me,” he said.
Alan Pardew is so wrong in what he’s said about Anthony Gordon
Interestingly, Eze has been linked with a move to St James’ Park this summer.
Earlier this month, another former Toon boss in Steve Bruce claimed he had in fact tried to bring Eze to Tyneside earlier in his career.
Still, most of the 25-year-old’s appearances last season came as an attacking midfielder. That’s not to suggest he’s incapable of doing a good job on the left wing of course but Gordon looks the much more specialist option.
Pardew’s rather short dismissal of the idea of starting Gordon does seem somewhat unwise.
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